Sunrise over Mam Tor

Hi!

I'd love some thoughts and opinions on these shots, taken from Mam Tor on Saturday morning. I'm a little rusty with landscapes, but all of these are HDR - I was going to attempt a panorama HDR too, but forgot to switch all camera settings to manual for each shot in the panorama and it got a little messed up. Still, quite happy with these, but would love some feedback or areas of improvement all the same!

 

I love the first image. I don't "get" the second - too many lines? The third is just a postcard of Mam Tor.

The vertical of the first image has even more strength of composition. It is the winner, imho.

 

3rd and 4th one are my picks. Nice shots.

 

Love these 3 different and very cool images. Like the colours and light in all, but the first is the standout for me. Second and third give a good idea of the isolation and chill - postcard? - a bit harsh, I think.
For HDR images, they have come out very well and pretty natural looking.
The only thing I might look at, and this is not a criticism, is in the first; the triangle of foreground roughly from both bottom corners to the point of the first hill might benefit from a touch more contrast and a little lightening to emphasise the entrance into the picture - but that's just me..

 

I love the first image. I don't "get" the second - too many lines? The third is just a postcard of Mam Tor.

The vertical of the first image has even more strength of composition. It is the winner, imho.

Thats fair - the first one was the shot I had planned and my main focus, the second one was just opportunistic as I saw the beautiful colours in the clouds and wanted to capture them; and the third was pretty much a postcard picture of Edale/Grindsbrook, but works, I think!

I'm glad you like the first one especially though, that was the one I was really aiming for. I wasn't sure if the leading lines were strong enough, but if it works then it works!

 

3rd and 4th one are my picks. Nice shots.

Thank you! What do you like about the fourth one? I almost didn't include it because I wasn't sure about it to be honest

 

Love these 3 different and very cool images. Like the colours and light in all, but the first is the standout for me. Second and third give a good idea of the isolation and chill - postcard? - a bit harsh, I think.
For HDR images, they have come out very well and pretty natural looking.
The only thing I might look at, and this is not a criticism, is in the first; the triangle of foreground roughly from both bottom corners to the point of the first hill might benefit from a touch more contrast and a little lightening to emphasise the entrance into the picture - but that's just me..

Hmmm - something like this?

 

Hmmm - something like this?
View attachment 326279

Yes! I take ot back, this is my fave! I hope you get it on your wall for awhile.

 

Yes! I take ot back, this is my fave! I hope you get it on your wall for awhile.

My bad, I misread your original post, I thought you were referring to the first image, not the forth one (which is the vertical of the first) - my bad! But the v2 of the first one wins then, you think? Do you think trhe vertical version with a bit of a brighter foreground would be stronger still?

 

I was thinking a little more targeted...I left the sky settings unchanged

 

My bad, I misread your original post, I thought you were referring to the first image, not the forth one (which is the vertical of the first) - my bad! But the v2 of the first one wins then, you think? Do you think trhe vertical version with a bit of a brighter foreground would be stronger still?

Hmmmmm...Tighter vs more expansive, depends on your mood, I would think. Also size of the print and the intended space.

That's part of our makeup as "big brain" humanoids. Our brains can handle, indeed, can thrive, on variety and gentle changes.

I think as a 30x40 solo in a large space, I would lean towards the horizontal. As an 8x10 in a grouping, I would lean towards the vertical.

Which one sings to YOUR heart?? Maybe print both and see which version your eye likes after a few days?? One of my teachers taught me that.

 

Hmmmmm...Tighter vs more expansive, depends on your mood, I would think. Also size of the print and the intended space.

That's part of our makeup as "big brain" humanoids. Our brains can handle, indeed, can thrive, on variety and gentle changes.

I think as a 30x40 solo in a large space, I would lean towards the horizontal. As an 8x10 in a grouping, I would lean towards the vertical.

Which one sings to YOUR heart?? Maybe print both and see which version your eye likes after a few days?? One of my teachers taught me that.

Hmm, 30x40 would be a stretch at 150dpi to be honest! Normally the best few from a trip get painted in something like 8x10 and blu-taked to the wall... and I really can't decide between the two. sometimes I think the horizontal, sometimes the vertical. Its a difficult one, but I think I will take your advice and get them both printed and see, thank you!

 

I was thinking a little more targeted...I left the sky settings unchanged

View attachment 326280

Ah, I see what you mean! its a subtle change, but it does work. Not entirely sure which I prefer, but thanks for the suggestion, I'll have a think!

 

Hmm, 30x40 would be a stretch at 150dpi to be honest! Normally the best few from a trip get painted in something like 8x10 and blu-taked to the wall... and I really can't decide between the two. sometimes I think the horizontal, sometimes the vertical. Its a difficult one, but I think I will take your advice and get them both printed and see, thank you!

Do you print through a lab? If so, just give them a decent size finished file and let them surprise you at 30x40 (not a problem from an XT-3 file).
For a normal-sized home wall, I would suggest a 20x30 or 24x36 might look better. But let the printer software show you what it can do.

 

Do you print through a lab? If so, just give them a decent size finished file and let them surprise you at 30x40 (not a problem from an XT-3 file).
For a normal-sized home wall, I would suggest a 20x30 or 24x36 might look better. But let the printer software show you what it can do.

I generally don't ever print that large, but if I do it'll be from the forum-suggested printing services, so I assume so! Good to know about the X-T3

 

I generally don't ever print that large, but if I do it'll be from the forum-suggested printing services, so I assume so! Good to know about the X-T3

I have a rotating display on 2 walls. A DIY gallery hanging system of 3 drops allows me to change displays every couple of months. I do mostly 8x10 matted and framed to 16x16. Very traditional, because it appeals to my eye and I was taught by traditionalists.

Currently, a Red, White, and Blue semi-macro display.

 

I have a rotating display on 2 walls. A DIY gallery hanging system of 3 drops allows me to change displays every couple of months. I do mostly 8x10 matted and framed to 16x16. Very traditional, because it appeals to my eye and I was taught by traditionalists.

Currently, a Red, White, and Blue semi-macro display.
View attachment 326281

That looks like a good way of doing it! So far I just print the nicest photo from whatever trip I've just been on and add it to the photo collage on my wall - not framed or anything.